LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION TOOLKIT FOR ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN INDIA• 35
Chintu Chimni ran to her grandfather. He knew lots of things and would surely help the banyan
tree. He took some herbs but they did not help. Finally he went to consult his friends, they had a
meeting but nothing seemed to help.
Chintu Chimni went to the deepest corner of the banyan tree and curled up. She did not want know
what to do now. She stayed there quiet and not moving.
Chintu Chimni went to her grandmother. She was feeling very sad. Her grandmother told her to be kind
to the banyan tree and to call her friends to cheer it up. She called the butterflies, bees and the little
birds and everyday they would go and play on the banyan tree to make him happy. Sometimes Chintu
did not feel like playing but would go to the tree and hold on to one branch and sleep. The banyan tree
was feeling very sad and Chintu would talk to him and remind him of all the lovely times they had:
when Chintu was born, the day she fell out of the nest and his branches protected her from falling to
the ground, how she had hid behind the roots and leaves while playing hide and seek. Chintu Chimni
had grown into a confident little bird; she was no longer the little helpless newborn in the nest.
One day the banyan tree did not respond. It was too tired and sick and one day the tree shed its
leaves and drooped to the ground forever. Chintu Chimni and her friends felt very sad. The forest
keeper came one day and chopped off the tree but he left a stump. The rains came and all around
the stump beautiful flowers and green grass began to grow, the butterflies came and sat on them
and Chintu felt that although the banyan tree had gone away it was still there for her.Tips for the facilitatorTips for the facilitatorTips for the facilitatorTips for the facilitatorTips for the facilitator
(A counselor must be available to assist the facilitator during the review. The comfort level of the
children could limit the discussion.)
The story can be discussed with the children broken up into several parts. A few guideline
questions have been provided below:- What did Chintu Chimni do when she was happy? Sad? Helpless? Ask a volunteer to
demonstrate it through their voice and body. - Did they think Chintu would have an appetite? Sleep? Would her body feel tense? Tired?
Ache? Headache? Body ache? - If children are willing, the facilitator can ask if they have ever felt like Chintu. When? What
did they feel? - What did Chintu do to feel better (sing, play, talk)? Who did she go to for help?
- The facilitator should ask volunteers to share what they do when they feel like that. Who can help?
- How did Chintu feel later? Why?
- How do the children suggest that their friends be comforted? What can children do?
What about adults?
Experience from the field
Ashok’s Story should be adapted. The children, especially the younger ones, liked the Chintu Chimni
story. One must be aware of children’s feelings in this activity and a counselor must be present.Tips for the facilitatorTips for the facilitatorTips for the facilitatorTips for the facilitatorTips for the facilitator
This activity can be done with pictures, like a picture storybook to make the story more interactive.